Tragedy shapes views in gun debate

Deborah Hernandez of Laguna Hills founded Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Orange County Chapter, in February. "We already have an assault weapons ban in California. If that amendment passes with the federal law, Californians will lose nothing," she says.CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

One lost her sister to gun violence. The other was a victim of a violent crime. In the debate on firearms, they emerged on the other side of tragedy with differing views of Wednesday's U.S Senate deal on background checks.

They were supposed to ride together through Santiago Canyon – two sisters who shared a love of the open road, the throaty roar of a Harley-Davidson and scintillating guitar licks by Slash.

But it never happened.

About 18 months ago, Laura Webb Elody was gunned down along with seven other victims at a salon in Seal Beach. The 46-year-old never had a chance – desperately pleading for her life as the shooter fired.

Beth Webb has since ridden the winding canyon roads solo – keeping to herself while she rode an emotional roller-coaster that turned, twisted, looped and sometimes even derailed amid the 51-year-old's struggle through the pain of losing her sister, whom she called her best friend.

But last week, she began taking small steps into the public eye. She recently joined the Orange County chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. She showed up at a memorial rally on April 4 that included a chance to ring a bell and honor her slain sister by proclaiming her name loudly to a crowd of about 350 in Irvine.

Then, on Wednesday, she saw a bipartisan deal cobbled together that, depending on the state, could strengthen background checks for commercial firearms sales, particularly at gun shows. She wanted to speak about it. But sometimes optimism doesn't always come easy in the shadow of tragedy.

"I'm skeptical. I think this is probably the least we could've gotten done, but it's something actually pretty huge," Webb said. "If we have an idea of where the guns are coming from and who is supposed to have them and who isn't supposed to have them and something can be done about that, then I fully support that."

The shooting in Seal Beach – much like shootings in places whose names have become shorthand for massacres – forged Webb's resolve to fight for tougher gun laws at the federal level.

Personal experience had the opposite effect on Patricia Wenskunas.

The 40-year-old founded Irvine-based Crime Survivors after a personal trainer entered her house, drugged her, put a towel over her face, beat her and threatened to kill both her and her son. Wenskunas said she summoned all her strength to escape – eventually jumping from a 12-foot balcony and running to a neighbor's to call police.

Six months later, she purchased a gun. And then she learned to use it.

Now she goes shooting "with the girls" at local ranges regularly and can't imagine not owning a gun.

"That topic shouldn't be gun control. That seems to be the first thing others want to talk about – the gun," she said. "The issue is a larger problem than just guns. I don't think guns are the problem."

Each woman, however, allows for a little patch of gray. Webb grew up with guns and said her husband owns guns. She said she believes in the right to bear arms – but it's not an unfettered right. Wenskunas doesn't think everyone has the right to own a gun but worries broader background checks might lead to larger attempts to take guns away.

Deborah Hernandez of Laguna Hills founded Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Orange County Chapter, in February. "We already have an assault weapons ban in California. If that amendment passes with the federal law, Californians will lose nothing," she says. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Deborah Hernandez of Laguna Hills founded Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Orange County Chapter, in February. "We already have an assault weapons ban in California. If that amendment passes with the federal law, Californians will lose nothing," she says. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Patricia Wenskunas was victim of a violent attack and six months later went out and bought a gun. Wenskunas is the Founder CEO of Crime Survivors in Irvine.
Deborah Hernandez of Laguna Hills explains, "We don't let some people skip a TSA screening at the airport. Why would we let some people buy a gun without a background check?" She founded Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Orange County Chapter, in February. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Beth Webb of Huntington Beach supports the proposed background checks for the purchase of guns. PAUL RODRIGUEZ, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Deborah Hernandez, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America founder, says, "People say criminals won't submit to background checks, but it takes two people to make a sales transaction." She works from her Laguna Hills home office. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Orange County Chapter, wants to ban assault weapons and ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds and require background checks for all gun and ammunition purchases. Founder Deborah Hernandez works from her Laguna Hills home. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Deborah Hernandez holds protest signs she designed. The Laguna Hills resident founded Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, Orange County Chapter. The grassroots organization was formed in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting tragedy. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Deborah Hernandez founded the Orange County Chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., left., and Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Penn., speak to the press Wednesday about background checks for gun purchases, in the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. The pair proposes a bipartisan compromise, a proposal to be voted on as an amendment that would expand background checks to firearms sales at gun shows and on the Internet. ALLISON SHELLEY, GETTY IMAGES
Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., left., and Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Penn., speak to the press Wednesday about background checks for gun purchases, in the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C. The pair proposes a bipartisan compromise, a proposal to be voted on as an amendment that would expand background checks to firearms sales at gun shows and on the Internet. ALLISON SHELLEY, GETTY IMAGES

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